A Horde of Slann

 As long as a Horde of Two Counts again*

Fresh off the boat, the zombies get 

into the party vide of Lustra. 

*See Horde of Orcs back in May (I really didn't think it was that long ago). 

More Slann painted using lesser paints from my collection. In other words, the ones at the back that I don't use very often. It was only after painting the second one, I realised my mistake. I had stuck on the shield on upside down. In my defence, I was tired, confused, distracted or just plain dumb*. Anyway, given that he was already half finished, I decided to carry on.

*Delete or substitute as appropriate.

To save you getting neckache, 

I have turned it round.

After not painting any of the lovely Diehard Slann for nearly two years, I actually finished two in a week. At this rate it will only take me another few years or few weeks!

So, as it is Friday, you know what that means.

Rob

Slann, Hunters & More Mobs

 A Friday Night Mix Up of Projects 

Working on a number of different projects at the moment. Finally got around to slapping some paint on the next Diehard Slann mini. I am deliberately trying to use some paints that I don't use as much, from the back of painting shelf. So, expect more random paint combinations. 

A third mob base completed for gangs of Rome. Which means I now have enough mob bases to play a game. And finished off the final objective marker. So, time to get them on the table. 

And the Rhino clan face their biggest challenge when they take on a sabre toothed tiger for a mammoth carcass. I haven't yet written up the battle report. But I should hopefully get round to it at some point in the weekend. 

And this proves why letting other people choose the beer can be a bad idea. But I will still manage to force it down 😏. 

Rob 

More Roman Mobs

& Malacassa Makes an Appearance

The lady had some damage around 

the left eye, so I painted it as a scar. 

So, my painting of the Gangs of Rome continues at a reasonable pace (for me), with the second mob base done. Son & I are prepping a new gang each for a mini-campaign. To test out the rules and try finish off some minis. Funny these minis have sat on the side lines for most of this year but making the mini-display base has really spurred me on to paint up the minis and play a game or two. 

Continuing to create a variety of different skin tones by using random base colours from my paint collection to reflect the cosmopolitan nature of Rome. Rather than starting with the standard Bugmans Glow and then working through the usual Citadel skin tones. 

And mounted on the mob base. 

And I thought Malacassa ought to try out the new Slann mini board. 

The mighty Malacassa leads 

the jungle braves on a raid. 

I found a better back drop for the jungle board, still need to find one with more perspective. And I think I need to add a few skulls, it just seems lacking a details. 

Rob 

Down in the Jungle

Second Mini-Display Base Done

Diehard Amazons repel an attack from 

a rather classic Citadel Witch King

I've now finished the second of my miniature display boards: a jungle board for the Slann. One of the challenges I set myself was to use only materials I already had, rather than buying anything new and shiny and I managed it.

The jungle board suits these Ral Partha Europe

 Slann proxies rather well. 

Early on, I debated whether to paint the trees or leave them as they were. In the end, I went for a halfway approach: painting the trunks and bases but leaving the leaves untouched. This saved a lot of time and gave the foliage a slightly glossy, jungle-like look. I also really liked the pinkish-green leaves on some of the plants.

It's easy to get carried away with a board like this and keep adding more and more detail. However, once it becomes overcrowded, it stops working well as a display board. I learnt that lesson from my first board, which had so many features that it was difficult to display even a small regiment. In the end, I had to remove a few elements to make it more practical.

I still need to find a better photographic backdrop, particularly for the jungle board, so the background disappears more effectively in the finished photos.

I've really enjoyed making these display boards, and the process has already got me thinking about future projects—perhaps an Ork Mech scrapyard or an undead tomb. Plus I still a load of minis to paint for my new wave Slann army. 

The WIP Shots

The starting point, was the texture roller road. 

As is usual for me this project was built from an original concept rather than any kind of detailed plan. Based on what I can find and how it sort of looks as I go along.

 I needed some height at the back, so an 

old cork place mat was broken up for the cause. 

I really liked the swirl effect of the ink/vanish on the water. I will have to try and find a way to keep that as the final look for future swamps. Once it dried it was dark but still has that semi reflective quality. 

The board, built just waiting for the jungle... 

Rob 

Roman Mobs

Painting Done on a Friday Night

Finally managed to finish off the 4th & 5th Romans to complete the first of the Roman mob bases. 

And work progresses on the Slann display base. 

And on to a Friday night beer. 

Rob 

Wandering Off Hobbywise

It all Started After I Finished the C08 High Elf Collection

The mostly unpainted and unassembled Diehard Eru-Kin

As, I had finished off the high elves collection, I was thinking about what to focus on finishing next. Like most wargamers, I have a pile of Shame, Opportunity and other half finished projects. And I decided it was time to try and paint up my box of Diehard Eru-Kin. From Tim Prow's Kickstarter a couple of years ago (I really didn't think they had been waiting that long...) and provide my Slann army with its unit of Bull Slann. I have already painted up the Amazons and one Eru-Kin but the rest of the minis have sat waiting in the postage box. 

The beginnings of the Jungle display board. 

Yep I know it is missing quite a bit of jungle!

This led to a bit more thinking and wouldn't be great to have a small photography / display base for the Eru-Kin (at this point they are going to be called Slann, so I am going to stop flip flopping over names). And out came the stuff to start building a display base. 

And the beginnings of the Gangs of Rome display board. 

This led to a bit more thinking (I know it takes me a while these days), and if I was going to do one display base then I might as well do two. Since I already have large display bases for general woodland and city use. And with a new jungle one for the Slann then one for the Gangs of Rome would make a useful addition. 

The Gangs of Rome display board built. 

With a working door!

So, once I started the Gangs of Rome display base it sort of took over and then I started looking at accessories and the the Roman gangers. I have never been entirely happy with the grey colour scheme on the bases and decided they needed an update to a more brown/sand colour scheme. As well building the display bases, the painting some accessories, I then repainted the bases on the gangers. 

The questionable grey bases

That's much better.

All of the bases re-painted. Fortunately it is a slow burn project. 

So not that many done yet. 

And finally got round to painting* the wolves for my Paleo-hunt campaign, as they are needed for the next hunt. 

*Actually this is repainting as they have been painted at least two times for before. Once as hobhounds for the Bloodbath at Orcs drift scenarios and a second time as part of the wilde hunt for the Fae army. 

Rob 

Bits of Many Projects

No Clear Idea!

So when I sat down this afternoon for a quiet couple of hours. I couldn't quite focus on any one project, so ended spending a little bit of time of several different projects. I had a couple of things nearly finished and didn't have the mental focus to really paint anything too demanding. 

So in no particular order.

Finished off the classic Lord of Rings Easterling. He only really needed a few touch ups and the base doing. So not much to get him done. 

Another ganger for my very slow moving gangs of Rome project. I decided early on that these minis need to have a quick painting style and try to lean into a zenithal painting style . But then my airbrush broke and I haven't quite got restarted properly. Anyway I quite like the 'spotty' appearance of her tunic caused by the airbrush clogging. Which I think adds to scruffy her appearance. 

A Slann way marker which has been sitting on the paint desk since (Colours??) and I still have another two to do. And then one of two Slann might make it back onto the painting queue...

And finally started looking at the dwarves (that I also picked up at Colours??) which I was planning on using for another play through of Blood Bath at Orcs Drift. When I played it a few years ago it was very much with whatever minis I had to hand. And I would like use a few more appropriate minis. These are I think are old Harlequin (?) minis from owner who was selling them cheap.  Because he said he was shutting up shop and selling off all his old stock. 

Right time to sit down and get ready for next week. 

Rob 

Ribbet & Beer

Not Much Painting Going On!

Haven't had much time to get any painting done this week, but I did manage to get one of the new Crooked Dice giant frogs painted. 

And this week I am favouring quantity over quality. 😕

Rob 

Itzcoatl and Raiders of the Lost Tomb

Pre-Battle

After recovering from the shock of the unexpected underground melee, Itzcoatl had retired back to the relative safety of the camp. The goblins had not pursued the Slann past the entrance or ventured out the following night. But Itzcoatl needed the instructions on the wall of the temple in order to find the lost artifact his master had commanded he recover. 

So, he had decided to muster nearly all of his company to venture forth back into the temple complex. The marsh tribe Slann had found another deserted entrance and through this would go the majority of the force, led by the reliable Bull Slann commander Potzalcol.  Whilst he, Lyta and escort an attempted to return to the inscription in the pond chamber. 

Objectives & Rules

Lyta must reach the inscription and every turn, if not in combat may attempt to decipher it. In order to secure the temple, the four entrances must be sealed. When either of these two objectives is reached then the game is over. 

Lyta may finish her translation on a roll of 5+, the entrances are sealed by a Slann reaching entrance point and not being in combat. They effectively block the entrance with debris surrounding the entrance. 

The goblin reinforcements will be randomly generated at each of the entry points (D6-3)per turn. 

The Battle

The sortie started with Itzcoatl sending in his most expendable troops – the giant frogs and slaves into the temple.

With two goblin entry points near to the Slann starting point, Itzcoatl’s group had a battle right from the start and the slaves struggled to make any progress entering the temple. And Itzcoatl had ‘forgotten’ to use any of his spells, so it wasn’t until that Potzalcol led a party from the other side that any real progress was made. As for every one goblin taken out of the fight, another appeared.

At the other entrance the Slann had better luck, the goblins started further away and didn’t manage to roll as many reinforcements. Giving the Slann a chance to advance and block the goblin's exit from the ladder room. 

With the goblins from the ladder room blocked, the Slann were able to enter deeper into the temple and block the farthest entrance point and then come round to attack the goblins nearest Itzcoatl from the rear. 

ii-Phon and Potzalcol  were then able to use their superior fighting skills to push the goblins back to the second entrance point and block that from use. Lyta then saw a moment (by using Might) to block the third entry point before the goblins could reinforce it.  The remaining goblins retreated to the ladder room and battle was called to a halt. 

Obviously didn't end up at my starting objectives but the game had reached it natural conclusion with three of the four entry points blocked. And no real way for the goblins or Slann to finish the game without a very slow fight to get to the ladder room. 

After the Battle

Tol-Tec continued to have a great game and took down a further two goblins and as a result gained poisoned blades on the hero chart as well a point of Fate. While Potzalcol gains a point of Defence, ii-Phon gains Steady Aim and Lyta gains a point to her Attack. 

Rob